Regional Hospital of Jackson celebrated its new emergency room with a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday.

Charlie Miller, CEO of the hospital, said the emergency room was both expanded and renovated to better treat and serve the community. According to a news release, the emergency room was expanded by 12,000 square feet.

"The community needs all the medical facilities we can have," Miller said, noting that the hospital received the occupancy permit for the emergency room last week. "The ability for us to expand this facility allows us to not only treat more people but treat them very efficiently and meet their medical needs."

The emergency room increased the number of available beds from nine to 16, said James Fountain, emergency room director. All of the beds also are in private rooms to maintain patient confidentiality.